As for Southern Comfort and Tuaca, he said: "Both brands played important roles in the Brown-Forman success story, and we will have fond memories of the enjoyment they brought to consumers, our partners and to Brown-Forman."

Brown-Forman acquired Southern Comfort in 1979, but the brand has struggled in recent years. The company launched marketing campaigns in recent years to try to reinvigorate the brand.

Brown-Forman said last month that net sales for the Southern Comfort brand had dropped by 7 percent in the first half of the company's fiscal year. The company pointed to weak sales at bars and restaurants and competition from new flavored whiskies.

Southern Comfort sales are divided about evenly between the U.S. and overseas markets. Its leading international markets include Europe and Australia.

Brown-Forman has owned the Tuaca brand since 2002. The brand is mostly sold in the U.S. but has a market in the United Kingdom as well.

Sazerac's holdings in Kentucky include the Buffalo Trace, Barton 1792 and Glenmore distilleries.